Senior cheerleader Maci Higdon is currently in her last year at Campbellsville University. Her athletic career has not only been memorable, but personal, too. Her mother, April Higdon, has been by her side for the last eight years of her journey. Not just as her mom, but as her head coach. Together they have navigated through the home and sideline life, which has become a normal lifestyle for them and the CU cheer team.
April is in her third year as head coach of the CU cheer team. She’s also an alumnus of Taylor County High School where she cheered not only as a student but also coached for eight years.
“My coaching philosophy is always athletes first and do what’s best for them while building relationships that will make a team,” April said. “I had been a head coach for a high school eight years and when I realized there was an opening at Campbellsville. I immediately called to God for answers. And I have no doubt this is what He wanted me to do.”
April said the team dynamic is no different than a regular family when it comes to interpersonal conflicts and resolution. No matter how much the guys or girls argue or are against one another, they always come back around and remember how much they really need and love each other.
“I learned a long time ago that sometimes the least amount of attention you give the situation, the quicker it handles itself,” April said. “They all love each other. When you’re on a team you’re a family, but family doesn’t always get along. You have arguments and fights with your brothers and sisters. When you love each other, then you come back around and make up.”
Throughout her seasons of coaching, April said she has really enjoyed seeing her daughter grow up and become a leader while preparing for her career post-graduation.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching and seeing Maci grow along with her friend group and getting to know and mentor them as they grow closer to God,” April said. “Every Wednesday we have Bible study and it’s just a great time for us to relieve stress while encouraging and leaning on one another as we read the word and apply it to our life. All my decisions are centered around Christ. Our expectations and decisions are usually aimed to be Godly and if it’s not, then it’s not as important.”
While some may think nepotism plays a factor on the team, April says she actually expects more from Maci.
“A lot of times I’m harder on Maci,” April said. “People may think she gets more of a say because she’s the coach’s daughter, but it’s the other way around. Since she is my girl, I do push her more and the expectations are higher. My favorite moment was seeing her and her friends on the big mats at Disney World. Maci wants to coach cheerleading in the future while teaching and that makes me excited. My piece of advice I would give to her is to follow God first and pray about every decision. I love her.”
Maci is majoring in P-5 education and plans to be a coach of her own someday. She has been cheering since she was four years old. While her journey has been long, her athletic career is coming to an end. But it’s not just the end of an era for her, but for her mom as well.
“With it being my senior year, I’ve really enjoyed having my mom as coach because it gives us more time together before I graduate and move away from Campbellsville,” Maci said. “She was my coach throughout high school and three years in college; it’s just a bittersweet feeling.”
Throughout her mom’s three years as head coach, Maci said it can be challenging to separate coaching time from family time.
“Our first year with us both on the team was tough,” Maci said. “We’re both hardheaded and sometimes that can be challenging. It can be hard for me to keep my mouth shut whenever we do things at practice I don’t agree with. So, we finally sat down and had a conversation, with her saying how she will be my mom first and coach second. I also wanted to let her know that I didn’t want to always talk about cheer whenever I’m with her. But in the last two years it has been easier to separate family and cheerleading. The biggest blessing of having her as my coach is the time I get to spend with her. I always know I have someone to go to and telling my friends she’s someone they can trust.”
Maci also said she’s seen the team grow in many ways. She said a big reason for that is because her mom sets expectations and standards that hopefully become enjoyable habits and routines that don’t necessarily feel like work.
“I would say the last two years were a little bit rough, but this year she started incorporating more of the Lord into our practice time and focused on building our relationship with God,” Maci said. “It’s been fun and I’m proud of her for creating Bible studies and talking about God’s word with the team. Just seeing how much it has impacted her and everyone else makes me proud. We’ve become a big family, not any different from brothers and sisters’ point of view because that’s how much we love each other and would do absolutely anything for one another. I never imagined being this close with my teammates. Not only have we seen each other grow physically and mentally, but spiritually, too. I think it has built such a strong bond that will stick with us for the rest of our lives.”
Like her mom, Maci said she’s also considering coaching in the future at any level. Maci intends to move to Lexington, Kentucky, and will certainly continue to stay around cheerleading.
“I think it’s going to be weird at first not being an athlete anymore,” Maci said. “But I am excited because I feel like I’m getting to that point in my life where I’m ready to not be the athlete and become the mentor and coach, especially like my mom.”
Thinking about her last few months in college, Maci said she’s blessed to have her mom as her coach and mother all in one.
“I’m extremely proud of you and I’m so blessed that you’re my coach and mom,” Maci said. “You’re a leader and mentor to so many kids and athletes. If I had the chance, I would choose you to be my mom a thousand times over.”
Maci has made a lot of friends during her time at CU. One of her closest friends is her teammate and roommate Grayce Stewart. Stewart is a senior from Taylorsville, Kentucky, who is majoring in mass communication with a minor in marketing. Inside and outside of cheerleading, Stewart said Maci’s leadership holds significance and makes a difference.
“Outside of cheer, Maci is good about inviting the team over to our house for bonding or whenever we’re not practicing,” Stewart said. “It really helps bring us all closer to one another as a family. One thing I have learned from both April and Maci is being able to keep going during the rough times. April’s first year coaching was a struggle, and she was able to persevere and keep going. That same year, Maci had torn her ACL. She was able to push through and bounce back from it that next year. Pushing through hardships is what I’ve learned from them both and will probably stick with me down the road. There’s good on the other side, you just have to believe it.”
While some may see April as only a cheer coach, Stewart said her and other teammates see her as a role model and mother figure.
“Most if not all of us see her as a mother, not just to Maci,” Stewart said. “Especially those who don’t necessarily have a motherly figure in their lives. She’s someone I can go to. April knows a lot of us are far away from home and can’t go home as often because of cheer. She will voluntarily cook for us, sit and talk with us when we’re feeling home sick, and prays with us whenever we’re struggling. April fits that motherly role.”
Stewart has been friends with Maci throughout college. She says being around Maci and April has helped her grow. Not only as an athlete, but also as a person.
“Before I came here, I didn’t care about being involved and would rather be on the sidelines,” Stewart said. “As a cheerleader they’ve help me be more vocal on the mat and at competition. As a person, I’ve become more comfortable just being myself and its helped being around them.”
As Stewart looks on towards the future, she said the team environment is what she will miss when she and Maci graduate in the spring.
“I will miss having a community of people always around you along with the friendships and relationships I have built here,” Stewart said. “I want my teammates to remember me as someone who is wise and who also knows the pressure of cheerleading. I hope they see that if she can get through this, then I can, too. I am so glad that I got to cheer with Maci. It has opened a lot of doors for me and others with her connections in the community and people who trust her. It’s those connections that I will have for the rest of my life.”
